The 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Lekan Ishola Balogun Alli Okunmade II, was born in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, about 79 years ago.
He attended Christ Apostolic Church Modern School, Bashorun, Ibadan and later proceeded to the United Kingdom (UK) where he completed his secondary education at Southhall College.
He began his university education at Manchester University where he bagged first Class Bachelor Degree in Economics and proceeded to Brunnel University for his Masters Degree in Social and Public Administration, both in the United Kingdom.
He later proceeded to Columbus University, also in the United Kingdom, where he got his Doctorate Degree in Public Administration.
Oba (Dr) Lekan Balogun’s work experience began in the United Kingdom as a researcher in social work-related area with Lambeth Social Services Department.
The 42nd Olubadan came back to Nigeria and took up appointment at the Ahmadu Bello University. Zaria as a Lecturer/Research Fellow from 1973 to 1975.
He later joined the former Shell BP (now Shell Petroleum) where he had a brilliant career as a Personnel Administrator from 1975 to 1981.
In 1980, Senator Balogun was appointed as a director in the defunct Triumph Newspaper, Kano, Kano State where he helped in the founding of the newspaper.
Kabiyesi started his political career in 1978 as a member of the defunct People’s Redemption Party (PRP) where he rose quickly to become its Deputy National Secretary from 1981 to 1983.
He contested the Oyo State governorship election in 1983 on the platform of the defunct Nigerian People’s Party (NPP), a member of the People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA), an informal grouping of all the opposition parties during the Second Republic.
It is remarkable that Senator Balogun had to contest on the platform of the NPP upon the split of his former party into two factions due to an allegation that the chairman of the PRP, the late Mallam Aminu Kano, was romancing with the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
While the faction headed by Mallam Aminu Kano was recognised by the then national electoral commission, Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), the other faction where Senator Lekan Balogun belonged, with the two PRP governors, were not so recognised.
The schism in the party explained why he had to contest the election on the ticket of the NPP. This was coupled with the strong preference from the NPP leaders for the candidature of Senator Balogun who was seen as a good match for the other heavyweight candidates like the slain former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola ige and a former governor of Oyo State, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
Following the military intervention of December 1983, the future Olubadan of Ibadanland went into export business and management consultancy.
At the inception of the civilian administration in 1999, Senator Balogun went back into politics. He contested for and won the Oyo Central Senatorial seat in the Nigerian Senate on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
He later defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2002 because of perceived increasing disrespect for democratic principles in his former party.
The activities of the seasoned politician, administrator and socialist of the Marxist bent in Oyo State and beyond are informed and driven by passion for social justice and democratic values.
His publications include: “Path to Social Justice and Democracy in Nigeria”, a book first published in 1971 and several other articles in newspaper and journals.
He was recognised and conferred with several awards in recognition of his social and humanitarian services to Nigerian humanity.
The awards include: BAAK Hall of Fame award by the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP);
Distinguished Ibadan High Chief by Federation of Ibadan Students’ Union: Democrat of the year award by Nigerian Universities Education Student’s Association (NUESA) at University of Ibadan;
“Notable Accomplished Personality” by the People of God. St. Peters [Ang.) Parish Church. Oke-Ore. Yewa Diocese. Ogun State on 19 December, 2010;
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“Parrot Man of Excellence of the Year 2009”, at Parrot’s Fifth Year Anniversary. October 29, 2009;
“Baba-Isale Adeen of Kishi by Islamic Association of Kishiland on September 25, 2010;
“Ambassador for Peace” by Universal Peace Federation as well as patron of many organisations.
A man well rooted in the traditions and customs of his native Ibadanland, Senator Balogun became the Mogaji of Aliiwo Compound in 1986.
Through sheer commitment and by the grace of God, he rose through ranks in the Ibadan Traditional Council and, within 36 years, became the Otun Olubadan, the second in chieftaincy hierarchy to the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Following the demise of the 41st Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty Oba Aje Saliu Adetunji Ogungunniso I, last January, Senator Lekan Balogun, being the most senior in the heirarchy of the High Chiefs of Ibadanland, became the natural choice of the kingmakers, the Olubadan-In-Council as the successor to the exalted throne.
The appointment of Oba (Dr) Lekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland was approved and ratified by the governor of Oyo State, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, on 14 February, 2022.
Kabiyesi Oba (Dr) Lekan Balogun is a humanist and philanthropist per excellence. The new Olubadan of Ibadanland is a happily married man with children.
